The District and Bethesda, Md., were among 31 cities where chromium-6 (or hexavalent chromium) was found in tap water in levels more than double those considered safe by California. Regulators in that state last year proposed a safe maximum level for the chemical in drinking water.

"It's linked to stomach cancer, leukemia, it can also cause anemia, liver problems -- a wide range of harm in the body," says Jane Houlihan, senior vice president for research of Environmental Working Group, which wants tougher testing standards for chromium-6."

VA DELEGATE WANTS TO BAN GAYS FROM STATE NATIONAL GUARDWashington Examiner: "In the wake of the U.S. Senate’s vote to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on gays serving openly in the military, Virginia Del. Bob Marshall says he’s planning to file legislation that would ban gays from serving openly in the Virginia National Guard.

Marshall, R-Prince William, said President Obama and a majority in Congress were conducting a “social experiment” with the country’s troops and national security."

MAGNOLIA CUPCAKES TO DC?DCist: "Last week, we declared what we thought was the end of cupcakes. But in the same way that you can't keep people with no shame down, you can't keep companies from profiting from hordes of silly tourists who love their cupcakes.

Magnolia, the NYC-based bakery popularized by Sex and the City, has big plans for a large production facility in Harlem that will help distribute to the D.C. area. (Vince Gray has to be thrilled.)"

FITNESS CHALLENGE FOR WARD 7 RESIDENTSWashington Post: "Most people wait until the end of the holiday indulgence season before embarking on personal fitness resolutions. Not D.C. Council member Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7).

Today, Alexander's kicking off a "health fitness challenge" outside the new Yes! Organic Grocery in her ward, and she wants to make her personal quest to shape up her constituents' quest, too. To that end, she's inviting residents to work out with her and she's arranged for free fitness classes at neighborhood rec centers.

Alexander, 49, recently hired her own personal trainer, and residents can call Alexander's office for a list of fitness activities in Ward 7, whose residents have high rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension. "